Jogaila

Quick Facts: Who was Jogaila?

Subject:

Jogaila

Known for:

Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, founder of the Polish-Lithuanian union.

Born:

1362

Died:

1434-06-01

Century / Era:

1362s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Jogaila (Lithuanian: [jɔˈɡâːɪɫɐ] ; c. 1352/1362 – 1 June 1434), later Władysław II Jagiełło (Polish: [vwaˈdɨswaf jaˈɡʲɛwwɔ] ), was Grand Duke of Lithuania beginning in 1377 and King of Poland from 1386 until his death. As Grand Duke, he ruled Lithuania from 1377 to 1381 and from 1382 to 1401, at which time he became the Supreme Duke of Lithuania in exchange for naming his cousin Vytautas as the new Grand Duke. Władysław II initially served as King of Poland alongside his wife Jadwiga until her death in 1399, and then the sole ruler until his own death in 1434.

Career & Major Achievements

Raised a Lithuanian polytheist, he converted to Catholicism in 1386 and baptized as Ladislaus (Polish: Władysław) in Kraków, married the young Queen Jadwiga, and was crowned King of Poland as Władysław II Jagiełło. In 1387, he converted Lithuania to Catholicism.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His sole reign in Poland started in 1399, upon the death of Queen Jadwiga, lasted a further thirty-five years, and laid the foundation for the centuries-long Polish–Lithuanian union. He was a member of the Jagiellonian dynasty in Poland that bears his name and was previously also known as the Gediminid dynasty in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1352: 1352 Milestone — 1352/1362 – 1 June 1434), later Władysław II Jagiełło (Polish: [vwaˈdɨswaf jaˈɡʲɛwwɔ] ), was Grand Duke of Lithuania beginning in 1377 and King of Poland from 1386 until his death.
2. 1362: Birth of Jogaila — Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, founder of the Polish-Lithuanian union.
3. 1377: 1377 Milestone — As Grand Duke, he ruled Lithuania from 1377 to 1381 and from 1382 to 1401, at which time he became the Supreme Duke of Lithuania in exchange for naming his cousin Vytautas as the new Grand Duke.
4. 1386: 1386 Milestone — Raised a Lithuanian polytheist, he converted to Catholicism in 1386 and baptized as Ladislaus (Polish: Władysław) in Kraków, married the young Queen Jadwiga, and was crowned King of Poland as Władysław II Jagiełło.
5. 1387: 1387 Milestone — In 1387, he converted Lithuania to Catholicism.
6. 1399: 1399 Milestone — Władysław II initially served as King of Poland alongside his wife Jadwiga until her death in 1399, and then the sole ruler until his own death in 1434.
7. 1434 (1434-06-01): Passing & Historical Legacy — Jogaila passed away on 1434-06-01, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Jogaila

“He laid the foundation for the centuries-long Polish–Lithuanian union.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jogaila

True or False: “True or False: Jogaila's conversion to Catholicism in 1386 was solely a personal religious decision, unrelated to his political ambitions.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. While it was a personal act, the conversion was a crucial political maneuver that cemented an alliance with Poland and laid the foundation for the Polish-Lithuanian union.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Władysław II Jagiełło — Contemporary (Born in 1362) (1362): Founder of the Polish-Lithuanian Union, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania.
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• Kanō Masanobu — Contemporary (Born in 1434) (1434): Founder of the Kanō school, Masanobu was a pivotal Japanese painter.
• Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud — Shared historical date (06-01 · Born) (1938): Somaliland politician, served as President from 2010 to 2017.
• Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf — Shared historical date (06-01 · Born) (661): Powerful Umayyad governor and viceroy who reformed Iraq and the Eastern Caliphate.
• Prokop the Great — Historical peer (Died in 1434) (1434): Prominent Czech Hussite general and Taborite military leader during the Hussite Wars.
• Edward III — Historical peer (Died in 1377) (1377): King of England, whose reign saw England become a major European military power.
• Edward III of England — Historical peer (Died in 1377) (1377): A transformative English monarch who established military supremacy and shaped Parliament.
• Ashikaga Yoshimochi — Historical peer (Born in 1386) (1386): Fourth Shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate, ruling during Japan's tumultuous Muromachi period.
• 1362 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1362
• 1434 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1434
• June 1 (06-01) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 1

Frequently Asked Questions about Jogaila